The Black Leaf (Part 2)

Chapter 4: Surprise

After we came back to the village, we went to meet with the Hokage and she was beyond upset because I left without her permission. Asuma's team along with Kakashi's now were aware about my ties with the Akatsuki and they also were forbidden to talk about it. I was giving a week to recuperate, Kakashi was checking on me multiple times a day, until I told him to leave me alone. I wanted time to think about everything, I tried asking him about what Kakuzu meant when he said the time, I let him and Naruto go, but he just changed the subject or evaded the question. It started raining on the village again so I would just sleep all day long and went for long walks to the cemetery. I always felt like someone was watching me and it was like if it was someone I knew. On a particular night I walked back home and sat on a bench it wasn't late, but it was dark. I saw Naruto walking in the street and I called his name, he tried to avoid me, so I asked him straight up.

"Are you avoiding me Naruto?" I asked looking straight in his eyes.

"No, I- I juts, I have to go shower," he said.

"Liar," I chuckled, "anyways I just have a question for you," I said looking away.

"Sure, Yam-Izumi," he laughed and scratched his head, "sorry, I'm still getting used to it."

"Naruto, you and Kakashi knew I was alive right?" I asked him his body stiffen up. The look on his face told me everything I needed to know. I smiled to try to hide the sadness on my face, but the tears left my eyes before I could stop them. I don't know what was wrong with me lately, I was so emotional, it wasn't like me to be acting this way, I thought as I wiped the tears.

"Izumi, please don't cry," Naruto said seating next to me, "you could have helped them, but you didn't. You protected me and I am grateful for that."

"I was part of the Akatsuki," I said looking at my hands. "I wonder how many innocents I have killed?" I could feel the warm tears coming down my cheeks.

"No, you weren't, you," he sighed then held my hand tight, "you are nothing like those criminals."

"Thank you, Naruto," I wiped the tears from my face, "Sasuke is lucky to have a friend like you."

"We will find him and bring him home," he smiled and looked up at the moon, "I gave you my word and I never go back on my word."

Then next morning I woke up to a loud knock on my door. I was so tired lately all I wanted to do was eat and sleep. I heard the knock again and I was surprised to see Tenzo, "hey sorry to wake you up, Lady Tsunade has summoned you to her office," I nodded and close the door. I changed quickly, left my hair down and headed for the Hokage's office.

A familiar voice came from behind me, "Damm Yams, every day you look more beautiful," Hikku said. I smiled and shook my head, "what? it's true, you look amazing with your hair down," he said blushing.

"Stop flirting Hikku," Tenzo said from behind us, "come on let's go we have to be back today,"

"Where you two going?" I asked them.

"We have a mission," Hikku said unamused.

"But I thought you said we have been summoned to the Hokage," I asked Tenzo confused,

"That is what Kakashi said, but he meant you and him and the rest of team seven," Tenzo said.

"So Kakashi sent you?" I asked him and he nodded, "why the hell he didn't come to tell me himself?"

"Let's ask him," he nodded behind me and Kakashi was standing next to me.

"You said you wanted me to leave you alone, so I did," he said casually.